AIA Colorado 2025 Day at the Capitol recap
2025 Day at the Capitol
Building upon our success last year in support of our practice act renewal, AIA Colorado returned to the state capitol this year to meet with legislative allies and share our expertise on policy issues important to the architecture profession. We had a group of twenty members across four different committees to talk about construction defect lawsuit reform and to advocate for taller single-stair multifamily residential buildings in Colorado. Improving access to housing in Colorado is a high priority for both the legislature and the governor.
Our biggest advocacy effort this year is working to address construction defect lawsuits that have held back condominium development in Colorado for more than a decade. Too many architects have been named in these lawsuits when there was no design error and this is especially common when homeowner associations bring suit on behalf of every unit owner in a community. The result has been that our liability insurance rates have skyrocketed and condo development is at a standstill. Our goal with a reform bill this year isn’t to take away a homeowners rights to seek legal remedy, but to promote better construction practices and create incentives for owners to allow builders to correct issues without lawsuits being necessary.
The other bill we’re closely tracking is the adoption of taller single-stair residential buildings (now being called “smart stair” buildings) so that we can increase unit density on smaller lot sizes. Providing two exits is standard for buildings taller than 3 stories, but the resulting double-loaded corridors make egress a significant percentage of floor plans. Increasing the height of a single-stair building to five stories would allow more density and better accommodate units with more bedrooms. AIA Colorado is working closely with legislators to evaluate appropriate safety measures that don’t put building occupants at greater risk in an emergency.
Staff Advocacy Engagement Director Nikolaus Remus, AIA, and our lobbyist Jerry Johnson, work year-round building and maintaining relationships with both Democratic and Republican legislators across the state. As a result of these efforts, we were able to confirm 18 legislator meetings ahead of the event representing our strongest allies and legislators with constituents in attendance. As is often the case during the annual legislative session, we had some curve balls thrown at us on legislator availability at the last minute.
First, we learned that the senate was going to spend the entire day debating this year’s big gun bill. Not ideal, but we figured we could pull members off the floor for brief meetings, plus a majority of our meetings were scheduled with representatives. Until we found out that the house was going to spend the morning on resolutions recognizing veterans. Which turned out to be an even bigger hurdle, as no legislator wants to be off the floor for too long during these tributes. Then the senators all went over to the house chambers for the tributes as well.
Thankfully we started before the house began its day. House Speaker Julie McCluskie helped us present our 2024 Outstanding New Legislator award to Rep. William Lindstedt, who carried our licensure bill last year.
We were able to catch a handful off legislators off the floor and Senate President James Coleman made time to meet with us to close out the morning. While it wasn’t how we planned the day, we still had productive discussions and were able to teach members about how things work at the capitol.
Not every AIA Colorado member can take time out of their busy week to participate in our advocacy efforts, but a critical component is to help friends of the architecture profession get elected and re-elected. Please support our efforts by making a contribution to ARCpac, so that AIA Colorado members can continue our campaign support. Individuals and firms can make a contribution of up to $725 every election cycle (which just began in December) but any amount is greatly appreciated.
Colorado Architecture News | 02.05.25
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 02.05.25
In this Newsletter:
- CKLDP Opening Ceremony
- AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee
- Feb 7 Code Class
- Feb 20 Ice Core Facility tour
- Feb 26 happy hour in Fort Collins
- March 5 Business of Architecture roundtable discussion
- March 6 Designing for Extreme Environments: Antarctica event
- March 13 Architect’s Ski Day and happy hour
- Partner news
- National news
- Premier Partner spotlight: IMEG
AIA COLORADO NEWS
Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program: 2025 Opening Ceremony
The 2025 inaugural session of AIA Colorado’s Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) was held on January 17th at OZ Architecture. It was an exciting day getting to know the cohort and set the stage for an engaging year of growth and learning. Catch up with the opening ceremony here.
AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee
Being elected to AIA’s College of Fellows represents the highest individual honor bestowed by the Institute upon its members, second only to the Institute’s Gold Medal. Fellowship elevation signifies recognition for an exemplary career with a broad impact on the architectural profession. Colorado has been fortunate since 1886 to witness 108 of our members elevated to Fellowship, including one new fellow named last year.
Are you interested in pursuing Fellowship? If so, our College of Fellows Nominating Committee would love to hear from you! Learn more here and contact Phil Gerou, FAIA, Chair of the Fellows Nominating Committee, by Feb 20th.
Share your One Good Idea
Scott Rodwin, AIA, 2025 AIA Colorado President, invites AIA members to embrace the theme of his presidency: making every member’s professional life 5% easier. While it may sound like a small, incremental change, achieving it will be neither easy nor insignificant. He is asking each of you to share one good idea that can benefit other members. It can relate to any aspect of the profession, and your level of experience doesn’t matter. We’re going to crowdsource ideas from the most qualified group we know: you.
Share your One Good Idea here.
As you’ve likely heard by now, the ByDesign tv show is filming projects by Colorado architects for upcoming episodes. This week, Mike Chapman, host and Executive Producer of ByDesign, was on set at Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station with Dan Craig, AIA, of SAR+, filming for an upcoming episode!
AIA Colorado Events
February 7 • 2024 IBC Update
This class reviews the changes from the 2021 edition to the 2024 edition of the International Building Code. The background behind many of the changes will be discussed to provide the participant with an understanding of the intent of the changes and how to apply it to their everyday work. This full-day program includes lunch. Approved for 7.0 AIA CES HSW.
Regular priced registration ends Jan 31st. Save money before late registration begins Feb 1st. Register here.
February 20 • GSA-National Science Foundation Ice Core Facility tour
Join the Denver Local Advisors Thursday, February 20th for a tour of a very unique property! Located within a large existing building on the Denver Federal Center campus, the GSA-National Science Foundation (NSF) Ice Core Facility supports the storage and climate-change research of some 30,000 ice cores from the Arctic and Antarctic. The design team from OZ Architecture will lead a tour of both the existing aging facility and the construction progress of its replacement. Submitted for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.
February 26 • happy hour in Fort Collins
Wednesday, February 26th, 5 – 6:30pm, join AIA Colorado members in the North for a time of fun and conversation at Social. So that we can look forward to seeing you, please RSVP here.
March 5 • Business of Architecture roundtable discussion: Financial & Fractional CFOs
Wednesday, March 5th, join AIA Colorado’s Business of Architecture Committee for a roundtable discussion discussing topics such as:
- How to read and interpret balance sheets and profit & loss statements
- Best financial practices for architecture firms
- How to achieve more profit
This is a hybrid event, taking place in person at Neoera’s office in Denver and via Teams. More information and RSVP here.
View all four of the Business of Architecture’s 2025 roundtable discussion sessions here.
March 6 • Designing for Extreme Environments: Antarctica
Thursday, March 6th, OZ Architecture will lead a presentation and discussion of the firm’s work over the past decade supporting climate change research in Antarctica, the world’s coldest, windiest, driest and most remote continent. The session will include the Director of University of Colorado’s design-build program, the Colorado Building Workshop, and general contractor Bespoke Project Solutions. The program will address topics of Project Acquisition, Teaming Strategies, Design for Equity and Wellness, Off-grid High-performance Design, Prefabrication and Design for Logistics optimization. Submitted for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.
March 13 • Architects’ Ski Day and Après Happy Hour
Thursday, March 13th, join AIA members for a day on the slopes of Snowmass, informally touring a variety of projects located mountainside and in Snowmass Village, followed by après happy hour at the base of the mountain. More information and RSVP here.
Partner News
Julie Snow, FAIA on Architect-ing
Recorded live at the 2024 Practice + Design Conference, Julie Snow, FAIA, and Principal and architect at Snow Kreilich Architects joins Adam Wagoner, AIA, for a compelling discussion about the intricacies of architectural practice. She is an acclaimed voice for modern architecture and her work has earned her firm national recognition including the 2018 AIA National Firm Award. Julie has held teaching positions in architecture at Harvard, the University of Southern California, and the University of Minnesota. She emphasizes the importance of small ideas and process of refinement, sharing insights from her extensive experience, which includes projects like City Park Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. She reflects on her career journey, including early influences, pivotal projects like an urban soccer stadium, working with visionary clients across the globe and offers a thoughtful look at how architecture can transform everyday experiences and environments.
Watch this episode on YouTube & listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!
Evelyn Lee, FAIA on Architect-ing
Recorded live at the 2024 Practice + Design Conference, Evelyn Lee, FAIA, 2024 National AIA President and founder of the Practice of Architecture, joins host Adam Wagoner to discuss redefining architectural practice through the intersection of design, business, and technology. Evelyn shares her unique career journey from architecture to business school and tech companies like Slack, before establishing Practice of Architecture. She explores the concept of portfolio careers, pro bono work, and her innovative strategies for the future of architectural practice.
Watch this episode on YouTube & listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!
Upcoming CAP Spring lecture series
- Joseph Altshuler, Assoc. AIA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Assistant Professor, Could Be Design, Principal and Co-Founder
- Monday, February 10, 12:15pm
- Maria Novotná, Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, PhD StudentCU Denver CAP, Visiting Scholar
- Monday, February 17, 2025
- Liz Babcock, City and County of Denver, Executive Director, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR)
- Monday, February 24, 12:15pm
Lectures are held at the Second Floor Gallery, CU Denver. More info and RSVP here.
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Rocky Mountain Region upcoming event
Taking place February 20th, from 4 – 6pm, in Denver, join DBIA for “Putting Design Back into Design-Build: Successful Tactics for the Design Team”. Dive into how “Design” can be elevated in the Design-Build delivery method. Registration is free for AIA members. More information and registration here.
Denver’s Single Stair Housing Challenge Awards Event
Thursday, March 6, at 4:30pm, join for an evening celebrating the incredible designs submitted to this year’s challenge. These projects push the limits of mid-rise housing in Colorado, rethinking building codes to create more vibrant, walkable urban neighborhoods.
The event will showcase innovative housing designs and include the announcement of competition awards, testimonials from select jurors, and a keynote address by Darrell Watson, offering valuable insights into the future of housing policy and urban design. Join us for this inspiring celebration of creativity and progress! RSVP here.
Decoding Design: Activating Health & Wellbeing through Architecture & Interiors
Tuesday, March 11, at 4:30pm, join Denver Architecture Foundation and AIA Colorado members to hear from two thought leaders in the emerging field of neuroaesthetics who will each explain their research and findings, and describe the interactions of our “ancient” brain wiring, our neurotransmitters, our nervous systems, and the universal appeal of achieving homeostasis in our public and private spaces. Learn more and RSVP here.
The Jeff Harner Awards are open for submissions
The Jeff Harner Awards program was created by Garrett Thornburg in 2007 to honor the memory of Jeff Harnar and help continue his groundbreaking work in the area of contemporary design in the Southwest. In 2018, the award program was expanded to include Unbuilt Work and Landscape Architecture. In 2020, the program was further expanded to include: Contemporary Architecture in the Southwest, Unbuilt Architecture, Unbuilt Landscape Architecture, Student Architecture Award, and Student Landscape Architecture Award. Four of the six Jeff Harner Awards are open to submissions for work designed for the Four Corners states (AZ, CO, NM, UT). The student awards for 2025 expand on the Four Corners states to include work in the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion of West Texas, and the Sonoran and Mojave Desert ecoregions of Southern California and Southern Nevada. Submission deadline: March 24, 2025. Learn more and submit here.
Career Corner
The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:
NEWS AT NATIONAL
The Architect’s Journey to Specification
The newly released 2023 report of The Architect’s Journey to Specification details key findings on how architects learn about materials, interact with product manufacturers, and make informed material selections. It’s the only report that reveals the specification habits, needs, and preferences of decision-makers in architecture firms. View at AIA.
Download the Architect’s Guide to Business Continuity
Will you be able to provide clients with the assurance that work on their project will continue despite a disruption? The Architect’s Guide to Business Continuity helps firms become more resilient with a step-by-step process and accompanying worksheets for assessing and reducing risks associated with disruption. The guide shares lessons learned from previously impacted firms, builds on and adapts business continuity best practices specifically for the building industry, and helps firms remain open in the face of disruption. In addition to a business continuity planning process, the guide includes a preparedness checklist and emergency response checklist to manage disruptions when they do occur. While designed with the architect in mind, this Guide would also benefit other design firms and professional service providers. Download at AIA.
‘There’s going to be more work than anybody can handle’: How architects are banding together to help rebuild L.A.
350 L.A. area designers have found themselves members of “Rebuild LA Architecture,” a workspace in the online communication platform Slack where architects, interior designers, and contractors are sharing resources and information about what it takes to design and build in the aftermath of fire. Read the story at FastCompany.
Demand for smaller, simpler homes in walkable neighborhoods expands
The Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2024, focusing on community and neighborhood design trends, is now available. Read at AIA.
Premier Partner Spotlight
With a history that dates back over 100 years, IMEG Corp. grew from several firms coming together under one uniting vision: people-centered engineering. As a national engineering and design consulting company IMEG intentionally localized a focus to serve carefully chosen regions and markets, allowing them to put relationships and communities first, without sacrificing expertise.
IMEG’s specialties are high-performing building systems, infrastructure, program management and construction-related services, but the secret to the success is found in a deep bench of 1,600 team members. For IMEG, people-centered engineering is about more than the people served — it’s representative of the engaged employee culture they’ve worked hard to create. IMEG believes in investing in their people and their professional futures through continuous training, community involvement and the ability to develop a niche specialty.
See IMEG’s AIA Continuing Education Courses
Looking for Additional Resources?
Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.
Helpful Links:
AIA Colorado Firm Directory
- Add your firm to the directory here.
Save the Dates:
- 2025 Design + Honor Awards
- September 18th, at Tivoli Turnhalle in Denver, CO.
- 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
- November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
- Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.
Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program: 2025 Opening Ceremony
2025 Opening Ceremony
The 2025 inaugural session of AIA Colorado’s Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) was held on January 17th at OZ Architecture. It was an exciting day getting to know the cohort and set the stage for an engaging year of growth and learning.
The first presenter, Rachael Yee, AIA, SmithGroup is the founder of AIA Colorado’s CKLDP and former AIA Colorado President. In addition to an introduction to the program’s history, evolution and purpose, Rachel presented on “Following Your Why”, emphasizing the importance of identifying your purpose in order to foster not only professional growth but also personal transformation, setting an inspiring tone for the sessions to come.
Our second speaker, Jamie Perkins, led an engaging workshop focused on defining the 2025 Scholar Group’s goals, values, and expectations for the year. Participants engaged in discussions to identify key objectives they wanted to achieve as a cohort, including fostering a collaborative environment and embracing diverse perspectives. Core values such as dependability, engagement, and communication were highlighted as central to the group’s culture. The session also covered the importance of establishing clear expectations to guide behavior, communication, and teamwork throughout the program. The workshop was interactive, with participants sharing their insights and contributing to a collective framework that will guide future sessions.
The session concluded with a strong sense of shared purpose and commitment to the values and goals established, ensuring alignment as the group moves forward into the next phases of the program.
The next session for the 2025 Class will be Friday March 14th covering Management & Mentorship.
Thank you to sponsors Martin/Martin, McCarthy Construction, and Schluter Systems.
Q1 Letter from the President
Scott Rodwin, AIA
AIA Colorado President
Hello AIA members!
I’d like to begin my term by acknowledging the suffering of those affected by the recent fires in Los Angeles—those who have lost their homes and communities, and the architects who will spend years helping their neighborhoods and clients rebuild and recover. Having been deeply involved in similar efforts here following the Marshall Fire, I understand how overwhelming and challenging the process will be. AIA National has offered its support, and we, as a state organization, do as well.
On a much brighter note, I’d like to express my gratitude to our Past-President, Julianne Scherer, our 2024 Board of Directors, and our incredible staff for their hard work and dedication. Thanks to their efforts, AIA Colorado had a fantastic year, and the organization is in a strong position as we move into 2025.
The theme of my presidency is simple: to make every member’s professional life 5% easier. While that might sound like a small, incremental change, achieving it would be neither easy nor insignificant.
I know each of you works tirelessly to make your life and work a little better—easier, more lucrative, more stable, more artistically rewarding—and a little less stressful. I believe we all share these goals.
In my office, my partner introduced me to the Japanese concept of Kaizen, or “continuous improvement.” At first, part of me thought, Ugh, that sounds exhausting. But my better, architect-self knows that Kaizen is actually the smartest and most sustainable way to get where we want to be. It’s also how AIA can better support you in achieving your professional goals.
Over the past few years, there’s been a lot of talk about Artificial Intelligence helping us solve problems. But here’s one challenge I think only we humans can tackle: AI doesn’t live our lives. It hasn’t pulled countless all-nighters in school, worked through weekends perfecting a client presentation, or worried about providing for a family on an emerging architect’s salary. It hasn’t had to be scrappy finding a first job or starting a firm. It hasn’t felt the joy of creating a design that fully reflects your talent or the satisfaction of solving a complex puzzle to meet a client’s needs. And it hasn’t wrestled with sleepless nights worrying about keeping staff after losing a big client or during an economic slowdown.
We understand those experiences. And that’s why neither I nor the AIA Colorado Board can solve this challenge alone—we need your help.
I’m asking each of you to contribute one good idea. It can be about any aspect of the profession, and it doesn’t matter how much experience you have. We’re going to crowdsource ideas from the most qualified group I know: you.
Together, let’s answer the question, How do we make our profession—and your job—5% easier?
Here’s how it works: Look at your current practice and identify something that’s working especially well for you. It doesn’t need to revolutionize the industry. Even small improvements can make a big difference.
Once we collect your ideas, AIA staff and the Board will organize them and share the best ones with everyone. You’ll be able to pick and choose the suggestions that resonate most with you and your work.
Let’s embrace the spirit of Kaizen and improve our profession collectively. I can’t wait to hear your ideas and share in the wisdom of this incredible community.
So to get your mental engines going, here are some real-life examples:
“We have a semi-annual all staff Visioning mini-retreat twice a year. We take the time to let all staff know what our goals and visions for the year are, and then we engage in a group dialogue to make sure that everyone is on board and understands what we’re trying to achieve and how we’re going to do it.”
“We allow well-behaved dogs in the office. Everyone seems to like having them, and for those staff who can’t easily leave their dogs at home, it makes it much easier and pleasant for them to come back to the office.”
“Every year, our firm identifies pain points for our staff and actively works to try and eliminate them: we have a downtown office; years ago we gave everyone an RTD EcoPass and bought an office bike. This year, we also added parking spaces for everyone who has to drive and comes in at least 3 days a week.”
“I (the Principal) go out to lunch with each of my Senior Associates one-on-one once a month. We talk about our families, our hobbies, our injuries, and sometimes our work, but it’s not a work lunch. It’s about getting to know each other and know what’s going on in each other’s lives. That way, when we have a disagreement or issue at work, we have a basis of trust, friendship and understanding that allows us to weather any kerfuffle or miscommunication. We actually do the same thing routinely with our clients. Sorry, that’s two good ideas…?”
“Our company includes families in at least half of all of our social events each year. It makes it easier to participate when I don’t have to choose between work and family, and has strengthened some of my friendships within the office because our families have bonded.”
‘My firm pays for our AIA membership and 50% of Design conference registration. It makes it financially possible for me (as a young designer) to participate.”
“We have a policy that face to face communication is the best (in-person is preferred, but Zoom is okay). Phone calls are second best. Emails are for sharing and tracking documents. Texts are only for perfunctory confirmations like, “I’ll be there in 5 minutes”. Never ever have project discussions via text. All tone and nuance is lost and that leads quickly to miscommunication.”
“We moved to using keynotes this year. It has really cleaned up and streamlined our Revit drawings.”
“Our firm gives every employee a $200/yr continuing Ed stipend to spend at their discretion.”
“I discuss budget and schedule with a prospective client within the first 30 minutes of their calling. This saves us both a lot wasted time if they don’t have realistic expectations.”
“Once a quarter we bring a chair massage therapist into the office and everyone can sign up for free.”
“We ask our clients to create Inspiration image folders using whatever format or program works for them. It helps us really hone in quickly on the style that they are looking for BEFORE we start designing.”
“We don’t put all of our projects on our website. We only include the ones that we want more of. ‘What you put out is what you get back’”.
“I wish the AIA would hold more events in the spring. I’d like to get my annual Continuing Ed requirements fulfilled earlier in the year so it’s not so stressful in December, and AIA events are the main way I do that. I also like staying connected to the architecture community, and sometimes waiting until the big fall events feels too long. I love coming to the design conference, but some years I’m slammed at work when it’s happening and can’t go. So having something in the spring would be helpful.”
“We just did a 4 month Fitness challenge” in our office. Everyone who wanted to participate got randomly put on a team of five and we self-reported our activity on a Google-drive spreadsheet. We have one staff person who’s running it and they let everyone know each week how the teams are doing. The office is offering a prize to the winning team and the top 3 particpants. It really upped everyone’s activity and health, but mostly it was just fun and team-building.”
“In our office remodel, we added a “pump room” (which also works as a Zoom room). It has made it easier to return to work after having my first child. And I feel good about working someplace that actively supports it’s working moms, and doesn’t make us choose between family and work.”
“I write articles (for free) for our local newspaper about architecture and working with architects. I think it has not only given the public a better understanding of what we do as a profession, but it has directly led to a lot of client inquiries.”
“Our contract states that we have the right to photograph and publicize the project. This sets that expectation up front. It stinks to finish a project and then not get to put it on our website.”
“We have improved our Client Communication Protocols and it has been very beneficial: we send the meeting Agenda to our clients 24 hours ahead of time. They like knowing what’s going to be discussed. Then we email the presentation and a summary of the meeting notes and decisions to them immediately afterwards. This makes it easy for them to circulate it around to everyone who needs to see it, and helps them to remember what we told them. Our contract also says that if they don’t send us written disagreement with the meeting minutes within 48 hours of receiving them, that we are entitled to rely on that information moving forward. This has really helped reduce the ‘convenient forgetfulness’ that some of our clients have.”
“My firm actively encourages, organizes, celebrates and sometimes compensates us for our probono work. It breaks down normal project hierarchy, helps the community, and makes me feel good about my contribution every year.”
After we gather this treasure trove of good ideas we look forward to sharing them with all members, and that this effort will be useful in making your work life a little bit easier, richer, and more satisfying.
Here’s to an awesome 2025 together!
Scott Rodwin
President, AIA Colorado
Colorado Architecture News | 01.22.25
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 01.22.25
In this Newsletter:
- Feb 7 Architects Day at the Capitol
- AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee
- Allied Memberships are available through Jan 31st
- Feb 7 Code Class
- Partner news
- National news
- Premier Partner spotlight: K3 Technology
AIA COLORADO NEWS
Looking for Members to join us for our 2025 Architects Day at the Capitol
A key part of AIA Colorado’s advocacy efforts is to build relationships with state legislators and discuss issues important to the architecture profession. Our 2025 day at the capitol will be Friday morning, February 7th (new date) and we’re looking for members who can help us share our perspective. If you’re interested in attending, please contact advocacy engagement director Nikolaus Remus, AIA so we can discuss who your state legislators are and try to set up a meeting with them, and which of our legislator meetings can best leverage your expertise.
AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee
Being elected to AIA’s College of Fellows represents the highest individual honor bestowed by the Institute upon its members, second only to the Institute’s Gold Medal. Fellowship elevation signifies recognition for an exemplary career with a broad impact on the architectural profession. Colorado has been fortunate since 1886 to witness 108 of our members elevated to Fellowship, including one new fellow named last year.
Are you interested in pursuing Fellowship? If so, our College of Fellows Nominating Committee would love to hear from you! Learn more here and contact Phil Gerou, FAIA, Chair of the Fellows Nominating Committee, by Feb 20th.
Allied Memberships are available through Jan 31st
Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know!
Joining AIA Colorado as an Allied member gives businesses access to an extensive professional network, AIA Colorado member event pricing, discounted job board rates for members, insider industry information, and more. The Allied Membership is designed for people who work in a field related to architecture but do not have an architecture license or degree, including engineers, planners, landscape architects, consultants, manufacturers, and other fields related to architecture. View the benefits of state wide membership and signup today! This is last email to those Allied members not current for 2025 as of January 31. Have questions? Contact membership@aiacolorado.org and confirm if your membership is current.
Renewing your AIA membership
Stay connected to the world’s largest, most influential network of architecture professionals—renew your AIA membership for 2025. All AIA memberships originate with the AIA National office and the renewal process begins at renew.aia.org. If you have any difficulty or questions regarding renewing, please contact AIA at (800) 242 3837, option 2, or send an email to membersupport@aia.org.
AIA Colorado Events
February 7 • 2024 IBC Update
This class reviews the changes from the 2021 edition to the 2024 edition of the International Building Code. The background behind many of the changes will be discussed to provide the participant with an understanding of the intent of the changes and how to apply it to their everyday work. This full-day program includes lunch. Approved for 7.0 AIA CES HSW.
Regular priced registration ends Jan 31st. Save money before late registration begins Feb 1st. Register here.
Partner News
Anne Mooney, FAIA, featured on the Architect-ing podcast
Live from AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference in Keystone, CO — Join Adam Wagoner, AIA, as he sits down with Anne Mooney, FAIA, Principal and Architect of Sparano + Mooeny Architecture to discuss the role of architecture in shaping communities. They explore the decision to concentrate on regional projects, the challenges of balancing creativity with business needs, and the evolving nature of architectural practice and education. Anne shares insights from her experiences studying at Columbia and teaching architecture plus her work on projects ranging from private residences to community centers.
Watch this episode on YouTube & listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Rocky Mountain Region upcoming event
Taking place February 20th, from 4 – 6pm, in Denver, join DBIA for “Putting Design Back into Design-Build: Successful Tactics for the Design Team”. Dive into how “Design” can be elevated in the Design-Build delivery method. Registration is free for AIA members. More information and registration here.
Upcoming CAP Spring lecture series
- Jesús Vassallo, Rice University, Associate Professor
- Monday, January 27, 12:15pm
- Sylvia Lavin, Princeton University, Professor, History and Theory of Architecture
- Monday, February 3, 12:15pm
- Joseph Altshuler, Assoc. AIA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Assistant Professor, Could Be Design, Principal and Co-Founder
- Monday, February 10, 12:15pm
- Maria Novotná, Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, PhD Student
CU Denver CAP, Visiting Scholar- Monday, February 17, 2025
- Liz Babcock, City and County of Denver, Executive Director, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR)
- Monday, February 24, 12:15pm
Lectures are held at the Second Floor Gallery, CU Denver. More info and RSVP here.
Call for nominees – Landmark Preservation Commission
Denver Landmark Preservation is currently seeking nominations to fill upcoming vacancies on the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC). The commission is specifically seeking nominations from property owners or residents of historic landmarks or historic districts, and people who are involved with architecture, design, construction, or planning. A general job description for LPC members can be found here. Please contact Nikolaus Remus, AIA, by Jan 31st to be nominated.
Denver Landmark Preservation is currently seeking nominations to fill two immediate vacancies on the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission (LDDRC).
The Commission reviews exterior changes to buildings within the Lower Downtown Historic District, as well as new buildings within the historic district. Some typical projects entail rooftop additions to historic buildings, projecting signage, comprehensive sign plans, storefront alterations, and new buildings. The Commission is made up of nine members who are appointed by the Mayor and are unpaid volunteers. Commissioners do not need to be Denver residents. A general job description for LDDRC can be found here. Please contact Nikolaus Remus, AIA, by Monday, Jan 27th, to be nominated.
Career Corner
The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:
NEWS AT NATIONAL
LA County Wildfire response and recovery
Architects play a crucial role in disaster response, and AIA proudly supports chapters and members in aiding their communities during crises. We can help you prepare for future disasters now with resources from the AIA Disaster Assistance Program. Read more at AIA about how you can get involved with relief efforts.
Business conditions decline to conclude 2024, ABI December data shows
Architecture firms reported a decline in billings in December as the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell to 44.1. Any score below 50.0 indicates decreasing business conditions. The stable level of billings seen in October and November stalled and headed down again to end 2024. Inquiries into new projects continued to increase at a relatively slow rate, while the value of newly signed design contracts decreased further in December. Read at AIA
Softness in Construction Spending Predicted Through 2026, Consensus Construction Forecast Reports
After increasing by almost 20% in 2023 and another 6% last year, construction spending for nonresidential buildings—commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities—is projected to slow dramatically in 2025 and 2026. Read at AIA.
Presenting the new AIA Trust website
AIA is pleased to present a complete overhaul of the AIA Trust website—complete with a sleek new look, a streamlined navigation system, and an exciting new feature: The product finder. Visit the new website at theaiatrust.com.
Premier Partner Spotlight
K3 Technology, a Denver based Information Technology Solutions Provider (ITSP/MSP) that was recently named a Colorado Company to Watch and recognized as one of Americas Fastest Growing Companies on the Inc. 5000 list. While many technology providers have a “come one, come all’ approach, they have a dedicated focus on the AECO and Creative industries. Why? Because they don’t think technology should be a bolt-on item to your business, it should be integrated into making you a better, more efficient, more profitable company.
View K3 Technology company website
Looking for Additional Resources?
Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.
Helpful Links:
AIA Colorado Firm Directory
- Add your firm to the directory here.
Save the Dates:
- 2025 Design + Honor Awards
- Celebration event: September 18th
- 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
- November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
- Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.
Colorado Architecture News | 01.08.25
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 01.08.25
In this Newsletter:
- Introducing the 2024 AIA Colorado board of directors
- ByDesign: Architecture TV show filming in Colorado soon
- 2023 Practice + Design keynote presentations now available on AIAU
- AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee
- Meet the class of 2025: Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program
- Allied Memberships are available through Jan 31st
- Overview of 2025 Code Classes
- Save the dates!
- Partner news
- National news
- Premier Partner spotlight: K3 Technology
AIA COLORADO NEWS
Introducing the 2025 Board of Directors
A new year brings new leadership! We welcome the 2025 AIA Colorado Board of Directors, a team committed to elevating the architecture profession to design a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado.
This year’s Board is enriched by the valuable contributions of several new members:
- Denver Section Director: Sonya Shah, AIA, 720 design inc.
- South Section Director: Tyler Wurr, AIA, RTA Architects
- At Large Director: Bill Turner, AIA, Path21 Architecture & Planning
Additionally, we are pleased to inform you that Mo Zaina, Assoc. AIA, AECOM, has been elected to the National Associates Committee.
Welcome, new volunteers!
From Committees to Knowledge Communities and appointed roles, AIA Colorado is proud to welcome some 100 volunteers from across Colorado who will help advance the architecture profession this year. We’re also looking forward to sharing the work they undertake throughout the year, so stay tuned to see periodic committee recaps, articles, events, and webinars outlining the work and discussions that will be taking place.
Join us in welcoming and getting to know our 2024 Board of Directors, representatives, and volunteers for 2025!
Looking for Members to join us for our 2025 Architects Day at the Capitol
A key part of AIA Colorado’s advocacy efforts is to build relationships with state legislators and discuss issues important to the architecture profession. Our 2025 day at the capitol will be Friday morning, January 31st and we’re looking for members who can help us share our perspective. If you’re interested in attending, please contact advocacy engagement director Nikolaus Remus, AIA so we can discuss who your state legislators are and try to set up a meeting with them, and which of our legislator meetings can best leverage your expertise.
ByDesign: Architecture filming in Colorado!
Exciting News! ByDesign: Architecture is coming to Colorado! As a TV series airing on CBS with the goal to bring greater visibility to showcase exceptional design principles, projects, materials and products, ByDesign: Architecture is a magazine-style half hour television program exclusively showcasing some of the best architecture by AIA members. In partnership with AIA Colorado, ByDesign will soon spotlight the innovative work of Colorado architects and their incredible projects.
Do you have a project in mind? Now’s your chance to be featured on this acclaimed TV series! We’re actively looking for projects by Colorado architects.
EJ Meade, AIA, of Arch11, 2024’s Firm of the Year, is a Colorado architect who has already been featured on a previous episode and said this of his experience: “Through America ByDesign, Arch11 highlighted how our design for Dyna Energetics embodies architecture’s role in shaping spaces that enhance collaboration, communication, and equality for all users. The show also amplified our commitment to tackling environmental and energy issues, creating an engaging dialogue with a diverse audience.”
Learn more about this opportunity and watch the Season 1 episode featuring EJ here.
New to AIAU: AIA Colorado’s 2023 Conference Keynotes!
Are you needing extra learning units before the year is up? Or, did you miss the 2023 Practice + Design Conference and want to watch the keynote presentations? Well, you’re in luck! Newly added to AIAU, you can now enjoy all four keynotes.
- Designing With People + Place: A Conversation with Tom Kundig, FAIA (1 LU)
- The Future of Cities • Carol Ross Barney, FAIA (1 HSW)
- Mithun: Design for Positive Change • Dave Goldberg, FAIA (1 LU)
- Designing in Timber: A Collaborative Approach to Architecture, Engineering, and Construction • Laura Britton, AIA, Dean Maltz, AIA & Dr. Gregory Kingsley, PhD (1 HSW)
AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee
Being elected to AIA’s College of Fellows represents the highest individual honor bestowed by the Institute upon its members, second only to the Institute’s Gold Medal. Fellowship elevation signifies recognition for an exemplary career with a broad impact on the architectural profession. Colorado has been fortunate since 1886 to witness 108 of our members elevated to Fellowship, including one new fellow named last year.
Are you interested in pursuing Fellowship? If so, our College of Fellows Nominating Committee would love to hear from you! Learn more here and contact Phil Gerou, FAIA, Chair of the Fellows Nominating Committee, by Feb 20th.
Meet the class of 2025: Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) aims to train the next generation of leaders in architecture through a yearlong series of sessions focusing on everything from community leadership to firm management.
Congratulations to the 2025 scholars:
- Gwendoline Albright, Assoc. AIA, Perkins&Will
- Nathan Allen, AIA, HOK
- Hans Davis, AIA, Stantec
- Ryan Detroit, AIA, Hord Coplan Macht
- Deona Florenca, AIA, Anderson Mason Dale
- Amanda Hansen, AIA, RB+B Architects
- Jenni Lane, open studio architecture
- Christina LoConte, AIA, SAR+
- Quinlan McFadden, Assoc. AIA, Holland Basham Architects
- Monica Mong, 4240 Architecture
- Brian Ott, SLAM
- Claire Padilla, AIA, Anderson Mason Dale
- Charles de Pottere, Assoc. AIA, OZ Architecture
- Zach Rowley, Perkins&Will
- Lyris Sanchez, OZ Architecture
- Noelle Wilhite, AIA, KEO Studioworks
We also wish to recognize and thank the 2025 CKLDP Executive Committee for all their work:
- Johan Duran-Hunt, AIA, OZ Architecture, Chair
- Taylor Higgins, AIA, Land+Shelter, Vice Chair
- Chelsea Wade, AIA, Semple Brown Design, Chair Emeritus
- Mackenzie Huber, AIA, BVH Architecture, Business Development Director
- Sara Zezulka, AIA, Semple Brown Design, Outreach Director
- Hannah Hobbs, AIA, Steinberg Hart, Treasurer
- Wei Zhao, AIA, RATIO Architects, Marketing Director
Allied Memberships are available through Jan 31st
Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know!
Joining AIA Colorado as an Allied member gives businesses access to an extensive professional network, AIA Colorado member event pricing, discounted job board rates for members, insider industry information, and more. The Allied Membership is designed for people who work in a field related to architecture but do not have an architecture license or degree, including engineers, planners, landscape architects, consultants, manufacturers, and other fields related to architecture. View the benefits of membership and signup or renew today!
Renewing your AIA membership
Stay connected to the world’s largest, most influential network of architecture professionals—renew your AIA membership for 2025. All AIA memberships originate with the AIA National office and the renewal process begins at renew.aia.org. If you have any difficulty or questions regarding renewing, please contact AIA at (800) 242 3837, option 2, or send an email to membersupport@aia.org.
AIA Colorado Events
2025 Code Classes
We’re pleased to share the dates and locations for 2025’s code classes. Sign up today and we’ll look forward to seeing you at the following events:
- February 7 • 2024 IBC Update
- Location: PPA Event Center, Denver
- April 18 • 2024 Energy Code
- Location: PPA Event Center, Denver
- August 8 • 2024 IEBC Overview
- Location: Castle Rock Library
- October 3 • 2024 IRC Update
- Location: PPA Event Center, Denver
All code classes will take place from 8:30am – 4:30pm.
Save the dates
As we begin 2025, we’re excited to share some important dates for upcoming signature events. Be sure to mark your calendars so you can plan ahead and join us for these can’t-miss occasions.
- January 31 • Architects Day at the Capitol
- March 1 • Architectural Education Foundation scholarships
- July 1 – July 31 • Call for conference presentation submission window
- September 18 • Awards Celebration Event, Denver, CO
- November 12 – 14 • Practice and Design Conference, Keystone, CO
- December • Holiday Happy Hours in Denver, North, South, and West Sections
Member News
Designing Aspen: The Houses of Rowland+Broughton is a new publication featuring ten residences designed by Rowland+Broughton. Join John Rowland, AIA, and Sarah Broughton, FAIA, for book signings taking place January 10th, from 3:30 – 5pm, in Aspen, at the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, and January 16th, from 5 – 8pm, at Studio Como, in Denver. More info here.
Partner News
Learning From Leaders conference session featured on Architect-ing podcast
Live from the AIA Colorado Design + Practice Conference in Keystone, CO — join Sarah Broughton, FAIA, Adam Wagoner, AIA, Steve Scribner, AIA, Maura Trumble, AIA, Ken Andrews, AIA, and Linnaea Stuart, AIA, for a panel featuring architect and firm award winners, to explore the intricacies of leadership in architecture. Discover key insights on building trust, evolving business strategies, and adapting mentoring practices in a changing industry. This episode offers a valuable discussion on managing work-life balance, the challenges of remote work, and the significance of peer networks and mentorship. A must-listen for industry professionals seeking to understand how these leaders are shaping the future of architecture.
Watch this episode on YouTube & listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!
Colorado Building Symposium
Join Colorado’s building community January 16th and 17th for the 1st Annual Colorado Building Symposium. This event features builder and building science experts, all based in Colorado, to speak to Colorado specific issues. AIA, ICC and PHIUS Continuing education credits will be provided. Learn more and register here.
Career Corner
The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:
NEWS AT NATIONAL
Evelyn Lee, FAIA, inaugurated as AIA 2025 President
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is pleased to announce the inauguration of Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, as its 101st president. Lee, a multi-faceted design leader who uniquely blends her architectural background with a technology-driven focus, was inaugurated as the 101st AIA President at a ceremony December 13, 2024.
Read an interview with Evelyn titled “Articulating AIA’s voice in 2025” and learn about plans to address AI and housing solutions as 2025 AIA President here.
LPA Design Studios receives 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award
LPA Design Studios wins award by establishing itself a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture, blending a mission-driven ethos with innovative, interdisciplinary design practices. Read more at AIA.
2025 AIA Gold Medal Awarded to Deborah Berke, FAIA
The Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) are honoring Deborah Berke, FAIA, with the 2025 Gold Medal. The Gold Medal honors an individual or pair whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. Read more at AIA.
Presenting the new AIA Trust website
AIA is pleased to present a complete overhaul of the AIA Trust website—complete with a sleek new look, a streamlined navigation system, and an exciting new feature: The product finder. Visit the new website at theaiatrust.com.
Premier Partner Spotlight
K3 Technology, a Denver based Information Technology Solutions Provider (ITSP/MSP) that was recently named a Colorado Company to Watch and recognized as one of Americas Fastest Growing Companies on the Inc. 5000 list. While many technology providers have a “come one, come all’ approach, they have a dedicated focus on the AECO and Creative industries. Why? Because they don’t think technology should be a bolt-on item to your business, it should be integrated into making you a better, more efficient, more profitable company.
View K3 Technology company website
Looking for Additional Resources?
Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.
Allied Memberships for 2025 are now open!
Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know!
Allied members are a vital part of AIA Colorado’s community of industry leaders shaping Colorado’s built environment. A membership provides:
- Access to events with exclusive member pricing the same as AIA members.
- Opportunities to connect with architects and professionals across Colorado.
- Visibility through the Allied Member Directory and our member communications.
- Priority window to purchase sponsorships and booths before we open the opportunities to non-members and the public
For 2025, Allied Membership remains $500 per member. While not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, it may be deductible under other IRS provisions. Please consult your tax advisor for details. Renewal deadline for current Allied Members: January 15, 2025.
Read about the benefits here, and sign up here.
Helpful Links:
Save the Dates:
- 2025 Design + Honor Awards
- Celebration event: September 18th
- 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
- November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
- Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.
Colorado Architecture News | 12.18.24
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 12.18.24
In this Newsletter:
- Letter from the President: 2024 year in review
- ByDesign: Architecture TV show filming in Colorado soon and you and your project could be featured on an episode!
- 2023 Practice + Design keynote presentations now available to watch on AIAU
- 2024 Legislator Awards
- Dec 18: West Section Holiday Happy Hour in Aspen
- Dec 19: South Section Holiday Happy Hour in Colorado Springs
- Partner news
- National news
- Premier Partner spotlight: IMEG
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Julianne Scherer, AIA
President
Thank you for your attendance and enthusiasm making this year’s Practice + Design Conference another spectacular experience, full of intellectual stimulation and professional camaraderie! Our conference is the best in the region, if not the nation, curated by members, for members, and happens only because of active member participation. Thank you!
We’ve had another active year! Several items from this year come to mind:
- Starting with a stellar group of volunteers embracing the revised structure and holding over 61 events, offering a total of 40.5 LU’s and 80.5 LU|HSW.
- Ascending on Capitol Hill in February to share with our elected officials to advocate for pressing legislation that will significantly impact the architecture profession and community needs.
- The passing of the architecture practice act here in Colorado.
- The celebration of our members works at the Design + Honor Awards.
- The times when our Government Affairs Committee (GAC) has supported and advocated for architects, including support for our members in Boulder as they responded to recent zoning changes.
- The sustainability codes event held in Basalt with our partners at CORE this past May.
- Hosting the Big Sibs and Large States in Denver with over 90 attendees from across the country.
- AIA Convention participation and voting at AIA24 in Washington D.C. this past June.
- And augmented our mission statement to capture the essence of our place and practice.
We continued to build bridges with likeminded organizations including the City and County of Denver, Denver Architecture Foundation (DAF), Aspen Art Museum, ACE Mentorship Program of Colorado, CORE, Denver Public Schools, NOMA, Community College of Denver, SEAC, University of Colorado ENVD, University of Colorado CAP, AIAS, and others to bring our profession front of mind. Let’s keep working together to keep our profession relevant and our emerging professionals engaged. For the future is dependent on their love of our craft.
As my presidency nears its end, I continue to be grateful and honored to serve you and our profession. I look forward to partnering with our 2025 leaders, Scott Rodwin, AIA, and Andy Rockmore, AIA, the entire Board, and you, our members. Together, as one AIA Colorado, we will continue to work our mission ‘Elevating the architecture profession to design a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado.’
AIA COLORADO NEWS
ByDesign: Architecture filming in Colorado!
Exciting News! ByDesign: Architecture is coming to Colorado! As a TV series airing on CBS with the goal to bring greater visibility to showcase exceptional design principles, projects, materials and products, ByDesign: Architecture is a magazine-style half hour television program exclusively showcasing some of the best architecture by AIA members. In partnership with AIA Colorado, ByDesign will soon spotlight the innovative work of Colorado architects and their incredible projects.
Do you have a project in mind? Now’s your chance to be featured on this acclaimed TV series! We’re actively looking for projects by Colorado architects.
EJ Meade, AIA, of Arch11, 2024’s Firm of the Year, is a Colorado architect who has already been featured on a previous episode and said this of his experience: “Through America ByDesign, Arch11 highlighted how our design for Dyna Energetics embodies architecture’s role in shaping spaces that enhance collaboration, communication, and equality for all users. The show also amplified our commitment to tackling environmental and energy issues, creating an engaging dialogue with a diverse audience.”
Learn more about this opportunity and watch the Season 1 episode featuring EJ here.
New to AIAU: AIA Colorado’s 2023 Conference Keynotes!
Are you needing extra learning units before the year is up? Or, did you miss the 2023 Practice + Design Conference and want to watch the keynote presentations? Well, you’re in luck! Newly added to AIAU, you can now enjoy all four keynotes.
- Designing With People + Place: A Conversation with Tom Kundig, FAIA (1 LU)
- The Future of Cities • Carol Ross Barney, FAIA (1 HSW)
- Mithun: Design for Positive Change • Dave Goldberg, FAIA (1 LU)
- Designing in Timber: A Collaborative Approach to Architecture, Engineering, and Construction • Laura Britton, AIA, Dean Maltz, AIA & Dr. Gregory Kingsley, PhD (1 HSW)
2024 Legislator Awards
The AIA Colorado Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is thrilled to announce Sen. James Coleman as the recipient of our 2024 Legislator of the Year award and Rep. William Lindstedt as 2024’s Outstanding New Legislator. Thank you to both Sen. Coleman and Rep. Lindstedt for their continued support of the architectural profession’s interests at the Capitol as we all strive to live in a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado! Read more about each legislator’s efforts on our behalf and see photos from Sen. Coleman’s award presentation here.
2024 Practice + Design Conference
Attendance from this year’s conference has been uploaded and automatically added AIA transcripts. If you need certificates, or have a question about your transcript as it relates to conference attendance, please contact Rylee Younger.
AIA Colorado Events
Holiday Happy Hours
Members in Denver enjoyed a Holiday Happy Hour and tour of OZ Architecture’sbeautifully expanded and renovated offices (left picture). Many thanks to the team at OZ Architecture for opening their doors and hosting the event!
North Section members gathered in Boulder at the T-Zero lounge inside the St. Julien hotel and enjoyed the time together (right picture).
Two more Holiday Happy Hours remain to close out the year of events. Join us tonight in the West at Forum Phi’s Aspen office and tomorrow night in Colorado Springs at Ivywild School’s Study Hall event space.
All four events feature raffle giveaways of the book Sparano + Mooney: A Way of Working, by 2024 Practice + Design Conference keynote speaker Anne Mooney, FAIA.
West Section Holiday Happy Hour
Wednesday, December 18th, 5:30 – 7:30pm join fellow Western Slope members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted at Forum Phi’s Aspen office. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!
South Section Holiday Happy Hour
Thursday, December 19th, from 5 – 7pm, join AIA Colorado members in the South for a Holiday Happy Hour at Ivywild School in Colorado Springs. Head upstairs to the Study Hall event space and look forward to a time to connect and celebrate the season. Please RSVP beforehand!
Partner News
Colorado Building Symposium
Join Colorado’s building community January 16th and 17th for the 1st Annual Colorado Building Symposium. This event features builder and building science experts, all based in Colorado, to speak to Colorado specific issues. AIA, ICC and PHIUS Continuing education credits will be provided. Learn more and register here.
Looking to downsize your library?
Historical Larimer County is building out an Architecture and Preservation Library for Northern Colorado and has asked if AIA Colorado members would like to donate any architectural books or magazines. They are a registered 501(c)3 tax, so your donation may be tax deductible too! Contact them directly for more information here.
Career Corner
The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:
NEWS AT NATIONAL
The American Institute of Architects reaches 100,000 members, a first in organization’s history
AIA is the largest, most influential network of architecture professionals, now with over 100,000 members who share a passion for design, a desire to change the world, and a commitment to following the highest standards of practice. Read at AIA.
AIA Board of Directors celebrates accomplishments of Lakisha Woods, CAE, and announces appointment of interim EVP/CEO
Lakisha Woods, CAE, EVP/CEO of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), has announced her departure effective February 2025. She is the first person of color and second woman to hold this position, marking a significant milestone in AIA’s 167-year history. Read at AIA.
2025 AIA Awards Close January 8th
AIA’s 12 remaining award programs close for submissions on January 8th. Submit to multiple programs with a single application and save money: $450 for the first submission and only $100 for each additional program.
How to apply:
- Complete one common application per project.
- Choose the award programs to enter.
- Submit and save.
Premier Partner Spotlight
We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, IMEG and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.
With a history that dates back over 100 years, IMEG Corp. grew from several firms coming together under one uniting vision: people-centered engineering. As a national engineering and design consulting company they have intentionally localized a focus to serve carefully chosen regions and markets, allowing them to put relationships and communities first, without sacrificing expertise.
Looking for Additional Resources?
Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.
PCI Mountain States Virtual Courses
Join allied member PCI Mountain States for accredited live courses via Zoom, December 19th and 20th from 12-1pm. RSVP Here.
- December 19th – Building High Performance Educational Facilities
- December 20th – Innovations and Operations: Developments in Sustainable Precast.
Allied Memberships for 2025 are now open!
Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know!
Allied members are a vital part of AIA Colorado’s community of industry leaders shaping Colorado’s built environment. A membership provides:
- Access to events with exclusive member pricing the same as AIA members.
- Opportunities to connect with architects and professionals across Colorado.
- Visibility through the Allied Member Directory and our member communications.
- Priority window to purchase sponsorships and booths before we open the opportunities to non-members and the public
For 2025, Allied Membership remains $500 per member. While not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, it may be deductible under other IRS provisions. Please consult your tax advisor for details. Renewal deadline for current Allied Members: January 15, 2025.
Read about the benefits here, and sign up here.
Helpful Links:
Save the Dates:
- 2025 Design + Honor Awards
- Submission window: March 12 – May 16
- Celebration event: September 18th
- 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
- November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
- Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.
2024 Legislator Awards
The AIA Colorado Government Affairs Committee is thrilled to announce Sen. James Coleman as the recipient of our 2024 Legislator of the Year award and Rep. William Lindstedt as 2024’s Outstanding New Legislator.
Thank you to both Sen. Coleman and Rep. Lindstedt for their continued support of the architectural profession’s interests at the Capitol as we all strive to live in a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado!
Senator Coleman helped protect architects from an attempt to increase our exposure to construction defect lawsuits and introduced this year’s attempt at construction defect litigation reform. While that bill didn’t pass in the House, his efforts brought awareness to this issue and set the stage for another effort in 2025.
Rep. Lindstedt championed our practice act renewal bill (along with 2022 legislator of the year Rep. Shannon Bird) and helped ensure there were no surprises or roadblocks along the way.
Thursday, December 5th, the AIA Colorado Government Affairs Committee (GAC) welcomed Sen. Coleman to a luncheon and Nikolaus Remus, AIA, Advocacy Engagement Director, presented him with his award. Sen. Coleman shared with the group how the time he has spent with architects has shaped his perspectives of our built environment and offered gratitude for the ongoing work of architects in Colorado.
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 12.04.24
In this Newsletter:
- 2025 Call for Volunteers submission window closes today
- 2025 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program application window closes this Friday
- 2025 Ascend program application window closes Dec. 11
- Recapping GENERATE Practice + Design Conference: Part 2
- J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline Committee at DPS 8th Grade Career Fair
- Add your firm to the AIA Colorado firm directory
- Dec. 6: Code Class: Getting the IECC Out of the Code Book and Into Everyday Life
- Dec 6. Denver Section Holiday Happy Hour at OZ Architecture
- Dec 10: West Virtual Connect: Managing the Cost Spike
- Dec 11: North Section Holiday Happy Hour in Boulder
- Dec 18: West Section Holiday Happy Hour in Aspen
- Dec 18: South Section Holiday Happy Hour in Colorado Springs
- Partner news
- National news
- Premier Partner spotlight: IMEG
AIA COLORADO NEWS
2025 Call for Volunteers
Volunteering with AIA Colorado is a great way to use leadership skills, meet like-minded colleagues, expand your network, and shape the profession. As you consider involvement, note that many committee meetings take place via video conference, allowing geographical participation from across the state. Commitments for committee participation are for one calendar year and committee chair positions are appointed annually. We encourage candidates from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds including career stage, firm size, practice type, location, and personal demographics.
Apply today to join one of the following committees:
- Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAHKC)
- Awards Committee
- Business of Architecture Knowledge Community
- College of Fellows Nominating Committee
- Committee on the Environment (COTE)
- Conference Committee
- Government Affairs Committee (GAC)
- Housing Committee
- Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Committee
- Local Advisory Councils (Denver, North, South, West)
- Regional and Urban Design Knowledge Community
- Colorado Sesquicentennial Task Force
Also, do you have an idea to bring like-minded colleagues together outside of these opportunities? Would you like to submit an inquiry or pilot program for consideration? If so, you are welcome to submit an application to form a new group through the same submission platform.
A recent update to our Call for Volunteers now includes a call for a Disaster Response Coordinator. This position helps connect AIA Colorado with AIA National and future response efforts around the country. Please consider this position as you apply for volunteer for 2025.
Before applying, review all volunteer opportunities and descriptions. The application deadline is Wednesday, December 4th, at 5pm.
Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) aims to train the next generation of leaders in architecture through a series of nine half-day sessions. The curriculum focuses on honing skills like:
- Entrepreneurship and firm management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Negotiation skills
- Client development
- Community leadership
- Understanding industry trends
Each year, this competitive program accepts 16 emerging professionals to collaborate, learn together, and develop as leaders in architecture. This program is ideal for members who are eager to advance in their career and either have not yet become a licensed architect, or have been licensed for 10 years or less.
Applications for the 2025 Class are now available with the window to apply closing Friday, December 6th.
Ascend Mentorship Program
The Ascend Program connects emerging architecture professionals with mid-career architects through mentorship as an intentional first step into the profession. These connections will support EP’s in the early stage of their careers, guiding through challenges, setting goals, and developing the skill set to succeed. Ascend groups are organized locally. Program Outcomes:
- Guidance
- Awareness and identification of culture of architecture profession. Training on professional etiquette and expectations. Negotiate the adjustments from academia to profession.
- Support, Problem Solving
- Preparing for and dealing with challenges in the working environment.
- Career Planning, Goal Setting
- Understanding the different career paths in architecture. Setting goals in a career and developing a pathway to achieve those goals.
Mentors and Mentees for the 2025 program are now invited to apply. Mentors and Mentees are invited to apply no later than Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Conference Wrap Up and Photography
Delve into GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference presentation recaps, access download links to the conference photos, and catch up on everything that unfolded over three very full and enjoyable days, visit the conference page at aiacolorado.org/conference.
To view and download photography from the conference, follow these steps:
- Follow this link to access your secure and shareable gallery. https://theunfounddoor.sproutstudio.com/gallery/aia-generate-2024
- To download, click the download cloud icon in the top right corner of the gallery.
- Enter your email address for the delivery of the digital download and use the following passcode:
- Full Resolution Passcode: aia2024
- Web Resolution Passcode: aia2024web
Keynote recap: Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Meryati Blackwell, AIA, “Radical Practice”
The final keynote of the conference offered a delightful twist: hearing from both Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Meryati Blackwell, AIA, together. During soundcheck, Marlon remarked, “You know, we don’t get to do this together very often.” This set the tone for an engaging and dynamic presentation, as the duo stood side-by-side, working through nearly 200 slides. They drew deeply from their vault of expertise, sharing insightful and captivating nuances for each project they highlighted. Jon Bell, AIA Colorado Communications and Creative Director, shares thoughts and project overviews here.
Keynote recap: Julie Snow, FAIA, “Architecture’s Trajectory”
Julie Snow’s keynote focused on how small ideas can bring a project to life. She stated “as a studio, we rely on the power of small ideas. The ability of small ideas to navigate the design process. I would suggest that the most critical design decisions may not be the singular big idea, but instead the small ideas that refine the project.” Jose Banuelos, a junior majoring in architecture at the College of Environmental Design, University of Colorado at Boulder, was on hand to share from the keynote presentation here.
Breakout Session recap: Designing neuro-inclusive and accessible spaces
During the first set of breakout sessions, the J.E.D.I. committee presented “If design can be the source of exclusion, can it also be the remedy? Designing neuro-inclusive and accessible spaces,” a breakout session that was the culmination of many years of planning, in part to gain HSW certification. The session began with an explanation of neurodiversity and expanded into actionable suggestions for designers to consider when designing for neurodiversity and neurodivergence. Anna Friedrich, AIA, AIA Colorado Associate Director shares about the journey for HSW justification and key session takeaways here.
J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline Committee at DPS 8th Grade Career Fair
On November 20th and 21st, 2024, the AIA Colorado Justice, Equity,Diversity, Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Education Pipeline Committee, NOMA Colorado, College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver, and AIA Colorado members hosted an “architecture” table at the Denver Public Schools 8th Grade Career Fair. Over 3,400 middle school students were introduced to exciting career possibilities and exciting post-secondary options. Learn about the event and some of the questions that 8th graders have for architects here.
Add your firm to the new AIA Colorado firm directory!
AIA Colorado staff often receives inquiries from clients looking to hire architects from firms of all sizes across Colorado. Our goal with this Firm Member Directory is to help you get discovered and connect with potential projects. We’re excited to launch this new directory, currently in its beta phase. This means we’re still fine-tuning the features and gathering feedback to ensure it meets your needs. Join now and pay nothing for the rest of the year! See the directory here and join here.
Member News
Congrats to Brian Nelson, AIA, of Animal Arts for being randomly chosen to receive a $100 gift card for his participation in our conference attendee survey!
AIA Colorado Events
Code Class: Getting the IECC Out of the Code Book and Into Everyday Life
Friday, December 6th, starting at 9am, let’s talk about the process that is needed to get projects compliant with the energy code. We will take a look at plan examples and field pictures, view good examples and some with have room for improvement. We’ll discuss what details are needed to be placed on the plans to give the project the opportunity to be successful. We will also discuss the available tools and resources to assist with energy compliance with any project. This full-day program includes lunch. This class has been approved for 6.0 AIA LU|HSW.
Denver Section Holiday Happy Hour
Friday, December 6th, from 4 – 6pm, join AIA Colorado Denver Section members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted by OZ Architecture, where members can tour the firm’s recent remodel/expansion, connect, and celebrate the season. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!
West Virtual Connect: Managing the Cost Spike
Tuesday, December 10th, from 8 – 9:30am, join Western Slope members for a time of conversation. The topic for this call will be “Managing the Cost Spike while Maintaining Design Integrity”. There will be a brief presentation followed by Q&A. Many of us are facing the same challenges day after day and we gather regularly to share concerns, goals, and ideas for Western Colorado AIA membership. Hopefully, these conversations will create a springboard for more to come. This will be a virtual gathering and the Zoom link will be included in the confirmation email.
North Section Holiday Happy Hour
Wednesday, December 11th, from 4 – 6pm, join AIA Colorado members in the North for a Holiday Happy Hour at T-ZERO Lounge in the lobby of the St. Julien Hotel, downtown Boulder. Please RSVP beforehand!
West Section Holiday Happy Hour
Wednesday, December 18th, 5:30 – 7:30pm join fellow Western Slope members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted at Forum Phi’s Aspen office. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!
South Section Holiday Happy Hour
Thursday, December 19th, from 5 – 7pm, join AIA Colorado members in the South for a Holiday Happy Hour at Ivywild School in Colorado Springs. Head upstairs to the Study Hall event space and look forward to a time to connect and celebrate the season. Please RSVP beforehand!
Partner News
Western Mountain Region College of Fellows Announces their 2024 Design Awards, Jason Pettigrew Award, and Silver Medal recipients
The newly reestablished Western Mountain Region College of Fellows convened at Keystone Conference Center following AIA Colorado’s Practice + Design Conference and members enjoyed the time together. The inaugural design award program celebrates the best architectural designs and service achievements from AIA members in the AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region states and those AIA members who have worked on projects in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
Congratulation to Gregory M Friesen, FAIA, recipient of a Silver Medal award and congratulations to Jason Pettigrew Scholarship Award recipient Brittany Goldsmith, Assoc. AIA. Congratulations to all of the Colorado recipients! View coverage of the event and design award recipients here.
Denver Architectural Foundation (DAF) calls for participation in K-8 classroom program
The Cleworth Architectural Legacy (CAL) Project enlivens K-8 classrooms with architecture education, inspiring learners to think critically about our built environment. DAF connects teachers to resources, training and support to implement CAL in their classrooms. Volunteers are one such resource, representing many of Denver’s leading architecture and engineering firms. Together, teachers and volunteers utilize architecture as a tool for students to actively engage with their classroom subjects. For more information and to get your firm involved, contact DAF here.
Looking to downsize your library?
Historical Larimer County is building out an Architecture and Preservation Library for Northern Colorado and has asked if AIA Colorado members would like to donate any architectural books or magazines. They are a registered 501(c)3 tax, so your donation may be tax deductible too! Contact them directly for more information here.
Career Corner
The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:
NEWS AT NATIONAL
ABI October 2024: Business conditions at architecture firms begin to moderate
After twenty months of declines, architecture firm billings were flat in October. The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for the month was 50.3, meaning that the share of firms that reported declining billings was essentially equal to the share of firms that reported increasing billings. Read at AIA.
Young Architects Forum August newsletter
A newsletter from the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). Look out for important news, AIA updates, and ways to engage, no biggie. Read here.
Preparing for interviews in the age of AI
The convenience and efficiency of AI are undeniable, but relying too much on technology can also lead to job applications that feel generic and even impersonal. As AI use becomes prevalent, knowing how to properly leverage its resources while recognizing its advantages and drawbacks becomes crucial. With a leveled playing field, how can you make yourself stand out? Here are four takeaways for using AI to supercharge your job hunt. Read about the tour takeaways at AIA.
AIA Firm Survey Report 2024
Newly updated for 2024,?The Business of Architecture: AIA Firm Survey Report is the only report that covers the full complexity of firms that power the architecture and design profession. With data from more than 1,200 firms—more than double that of 2022—this essential resource includes metrics to measure practice, evaluate performance, and set strategy. Free for AIA members! Get it at AIA
Premier Partner Spotlight
We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, IMEG and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.
With a history that dates back over 100 years, IMEG Corp. grew from several firms coming together under one uniting vision: people-centered engineering. As a national engineering and design consulting company they have intentionally localized a focus to serve carefully chosen regions and markets, allowing them to put relationships and communities first, without sacrificing expertise.
Looking for Additional Resources?
Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.
Allied Memberships for 2025 are now open!
Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know!
Allied members are a vital part of AIA Colorado’s community of industry leaders shaping Colorado’s built environment. A membership provides:
- Access to events with exclusive member pricing the same as AIA members.
- Opportunities to connect with architects and professionals across Colorado.
- Visibility through the Allied Member Directory and our member communications.
- Priority window to purchase sponsorships and booths before we open the opportunities to non-members and the public
For 2025, Allied Membership remains $500 per member. While not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, it may be deductible under other IRS provisions. Please consult your tax advisor for details. Renewal deadline for current Allied Members: January 15, 2025.
Read about the benefits here, and sign up here.
Helpful Links:
Save the Dates:
- 2025 Design + Honor Awards
- Submission window: March 12 – May 16
- Celebration event: September 18th
- 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
- November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
- Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.
Designing Neuro-Inclusive and Accessible Spaces
GENERATE 2024 PRACTICE + DESIGN CONFERENCE
Breakout Series Session
Presented by Dr. Elena Sabinson, PhD, and Dr. Kait Peditto, PhD, at GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference.
Article by Anna Friedrich, AIA, AIA Colorado Associate Director
The J.E.D.I. Committee Presents:
If Design Can Be the Source of Exclusion, Can It Also Be the Remedy? Designing Neuro-Inclusive and Accessible Spaces
At this year’s Practice + Design Conference, the AIA Colorado J.E.D.I. committee organized a breakout session that was the culmination of many years of planning. While the J.E.D.I. committee has previously presented breakout sessions on the topics of diversity and inclusion in design, this was the first HSW-accredited presentation. Committee co-Chair Sarah Morasso, AIA, explained that while they had faced challenges in obtaining HSW certification from AIA National in the past, this year, their efforts aligned with a policy shift by AIA National to offer more recognition to lessons focused on design solutions for people with diverse abilities.
As a member of the JEDI committee, I was able to witness some of the behind-the-scenes work that the HSW Accreditation sub-committee members put into pulling this all together, and I was privileged to attend the talk to witness the results.
The co-presenters for the talk were Dr. Elena Sabinson, PhD and Dr. Kati Peditto, PhD, who met while working on their doctorate degrees in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University. Dr. Sabinson is currently an Assistant Professor at the CU Boulder ENVD program, researching how design can improve experiences for neurodivergent people. Dr. Peditto is a Senior Design Researcher at the multi-disciplinary design firm DLR Group, where she works to apply neurodiversity design research to practical solutions in the field. Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto both identify as neurodivergent and, needless to say, both women are passionate about inclusive design solutions.
The session began by clarifying that we are all “neurodiverse,” from the simple fact that no two brains are alike. People who identify as “neurodivergent” are people whose brains function differently than established social norms, and may require accommodations outside of what is ordinarily provided. The presenters emphasized that when we design for neurodiversity, we make our designs more inclusive and functional for all.
They also clarified that neurodivergence is not a diagnosis. It is an umbrella term that encompasses many diagnosable conditions, either inherent or acquired, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, CTE, and others.
One of the primary symptoms of many neurodivergent conditions is a sensitivity to external stimuli, which can come from any of the five senses. The presentation included an interactive “sensory audit” of the lecture hall we were sitting in, where we broke up into groups to identify potential sources of sensory overload. My discussion group made note of the loud-patterned carpet, the bright glare of sunlight from the open doors, and the rigidly uniform closeness of the lecture chairs, which did not leave a lot of room for movement or personal space.
After the activity, Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto presented actionable suggestions for designers to consider when designing for neurodiversity and neurodivergence. These include:
- Limiting sensory distractions. This encompasses using soft surfaces to dampen sound, thoughtful placement of loud equipment (even the background hum of standard HVAC equipment can be very overstimulating), and introducing natural and biophilic elements.
- Clear and Thoughtful Wayfinding. Wayfinding in complex buildings should be an integral part of the design process rather than an afterthought. Clear wayfinding helps people struggling with social cues feel comfortable and confident navigating the space. They also suggested making the space available to explore virtually before arrival, using an interactive app combined with 360 photography.
- Diversity of space type. Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto touched on the sometimes controversial topic of the open office. Their reviews are mixed – while the open office can be a place of overstimulation and distraction, some neurodivergent people benefit from “body doubling” or having other people around to keep them focused. This emphasizes the fact that designing for neurodiversity is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The most effective designs provide accessible options for the desired privacy level, which can vary from person to person or hour to hour.
- Implementing “Co-Design” polices when working with people with disabilities. When working with people with disabilities, Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto cautioned against making these groups feel as if they are being used for an extraction (or “harvesting”) of information, without full participation in the design process. Disabled and diverse people want the same seats at the drafting table.
What struck me while learning about these strategies is that they are relatively moderate and inexpensive. All of them make spaces more functional for everyone who walks through the door.
It was so fulfilling to have the opportunity to learn from experienced researchers who have devoted their careers to designing a built environment that is safer, more pleasant, and more welcoming for all. As designers, we always strive to make our buildings as functional as possible. It is important to keep in mind that even seemingly minor decisions, such as the placement of HVAC systems or the color and font of wayfinding signage, can go a long way in creating an accessible environment.
The J.E.D.I. Committee would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto for presenting, and to all the committee members who worked to make this HSW-accredited session possible.
About Elena Sabinson, PhD – Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder ENVD
Elena Sabinson is a design researcher whose transdisciplinary work spans environmental design, psychology, and emerging technologies. With a PhD in Human Behavior & Design from Cornell University, Elena’s doctoral research focused on the development of therapeutic soft robotic surfaces designed to enhance emotional well-being through sensory engagement and self-soothing activities. As a neurodivergent researcher, Elena is passionate about the role of neurodiversity in design processes. She directs the neuro D lab at CU Boulder, which investigates how design can foster joyful experiences, accommodate diverse sensory needs, and address environmental barriers, creating spaces that empower individuals across the spectrum of human experience.
Dr. Kati Peditto – Senior Design Researcher, DLR Group
As a design psychologist and a woman with autism and ADHD, Dr. Kati Peditto is personally invested in the transformative power of evidence-based design for mental health and well-being. A celebrated expert in health and the built environment, Dr. Peditto earned her PhD in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University before completing postdoctoral work in the Cornell Department of Human-Centered Design. A New Investigator Award winner from the Center for Health Design, her research has been showcased in the Design Lab with Bon Ku podcast, The Atlantic, and the BBC. Dr. Peditto’s journey is a testament to how neurodiversity can shape and enhance our understanding of the spaces we inhabit.